State qualifiers for the Galesburg High School wrestling team received a hero’s welcome back to town Sunday, Feb. 19, 2023, at the former Gale Elementary School. (Photo courtesy STEVE DAVIS/SeedCo Media)

Led by a fire engine and police car escort, state qualifiers for the Galesburg High School wrestling team received a hero’s welcome back to town Sunday, Feb. 19, 2023, at the former Gale Elementary School.

Fans cheered loudly as three Streaks wrestlers emerged from a school bus, led by state champion Gauge Shipp. Shipp claimed the 138-pound Class 2A gold medal at the IHSA State Wrestling Championships on Saturday night at State Farm Center in Champaign. Also competing at state for the Streaks were Rocky Almendarez and Emilio Torres.

Shipp is only the third Galesburg High School wrestler to win an individual state championship and the first since Gene Denisar claimed gold at 154 pounds in 1963-64. Galesburg’s Gene Courtwright won the 115-pound title in 1944-45.

(Photos courtesy STEVE DAVIS/SeedCo Media)

LISTEN: Gauge Shipp discusses his state championship during an interview on Galesburg’s Morning News